HI
I'm travelling to Seattle in September and looking at hiring a car and spending a few days exploring. I've never driven in the USA and I'm a little nrevous to be honest, does anybody have any advice and or experience of driving across the pond.
Thanks in advance.
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I spent six months in the USA last year and enjoyed driving there. It's very relaxed and drivers are in general courteous. This is mainly because they take the risk of being shot by anyone they annoy. So, tips...
1) Look both ways when turning out of junctions. And again. And then a third time. Sounds stupid but it can catch you out, especially turning left.
2) The key won't come out unless the gearbox is in Park. Useful, this one...
3) The Americans don't really know what to do at 4-way stops either, but the theory is that the first to arrive turns first. Unless one direction has priority. stupid idea if you ask me.
4) Where roundabouts exist, expect them to get it wrong. This can be encouraged in low traffic areas (and private, I beg to add!) by breezing up to a roundabout and going around it the wrong way, which *really* confuses them.
5) Navigation is a doddle, since in most cities a road will run the length of the city in a grid pattern. Boring, but effective.
6) Do not trust articulated lorries. Unlike Europe, they're not limited and you'll find them breezing past you at 85mph.
7) In a school zone, you CANNOT pass another car on roads with two or more lanes (so all of them). Even if that car is doing 2mph, you CANNOT pass it. The police were really hot on this when I was there.
8) Residential and business zones are signposted, limit is 25mph. Again, enforced.
9) They don't breathalyse. If the policeman judges that you're drunk, you're drunk.
10) The speed limit is signposted on freeways - go at the same speed as everyone else even if this is considerably higher. Ref points (6) and (9) and note re: guns.
11) For places like underground car parks that have an "In" and "Out", it's surprisingly easy to turn in to the "Out". This problem is accentuated when you get back to the UK...
12) Have money or a credit card handy for toll roads.
13) Fuel stations insist you pay for fuel in advance. Don't ask me why. Easier to find a pump that takes credit cards.
14) CARRY YOUR PASSPORT. We found that hire cars were regularly stopped on long journeys and the police got really antsy if someone didn't have their passport on them. If you have a Welsh passport, they'll get *really* annoyed because they can't read it.
15) Best of all, you can turn right on a red light. However, a caveat - if you hit anyone, it's your fault and anyone crossing the road has priority over you. Don't do it by mistake in the UK when you get back, everyone behind gets upset.
If I can think of anything else I'll post it here, but I remember starting a similar thread last year which should still be around if you search.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 24/02/2009 at 20:50
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Ditto the above. I spent a fortnight cruising round Boston and the Green & White Mountains and strayed across the border to Canada. Great to drive, very relaxed. Take it easy with the speed and you'll have very little else to worry about.
Back in 2002 all the driver's for our hire vehicle had to have an international drivers permit. Are they still required?
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11) For places like underground car parks that have an "In" and "Out" it's surprisingly easy to turn in to the "Out". This problem is accentuated when you get back to the UK...
I found turning out of car parks etc (as there's no reference point) was the time when I was most likely to try to turn the wrong way (and therefore be on the wrong side of the road). If you have other people with you, make sure they're not shy to tell you you've done it wrong!
15) Best of all you can turn right on a red light.
>>
Unless it says not to, of course.
Also, you're supposed to come to stop first, and then go. In practice Americans treat them like give-ways so be careful not to stop suddenly or you might get rear-ended.
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There have been a few threads on the subject here, such as: www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=62930
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I have only had a hire once in the USA (on Maui). Driving was very easy as it was (obviously) and auto....
Some thoughts:
- As is common they didn't have the size of car I wanted (a compact) and didn't need anything else. They tried to offer a cheap upgrade to a compact convertible but I did not want a convertible.... got an upgrade. Huge car to be honest. My brother visiting for the CA wedding the week before had toured CA in one with family and luggage
- I tried driving around north Maui (you're not meant to in hire cars) as the road I knew had been improved a lot.... only one of two car journeys I prayed/wished I had not. No way to turn around but road narrow.
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I spent three month in Dallas and found driving out there was fairly easy.
"turn right on red" is a local thing, not national. Try to get a copy of the local States equivalent of the highway code, there was a copy in my lease car.
In addition to not overtaking moving cars in a school zone - DO NOT overtake a school bus with it's lights flashing.
If stopped for any reason by plod, place your hands on the upper part of the steering wheel and don't move until invited to.
Sarcasm just does not work over there, especially with their plod.
It is very easy to spin their cars when accelerating out of a junction and turning (it may have improved since I was there) - great oodles of power and rubbish suspension.
I had more trouble when I got home than I did over there. Collected car and promptly, like a fool, got into the passenger seat!. Changed over and chucked it into reverse - forgetting the clutch...
When you get home, you don't concentrate as much and it is very easy to get onto the wrong side of the road at junctions.
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I mentioned this in another thread on the subject a while back.
Have a look at hiring a Pickup Truck rather then a car. They are cheaper, you blend in better and best of all you sit up higher so can see further ahead and are able to plan well in advance.
When we hired one a few years ago it was about half the price of a mid size car!!! Quite a saving.
Washington is a fantastic state, I lived and worked in Everett for a while 17 years ago, really need to go back and visit.
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Gotta have somewhere to throw the beer cans, cant be doing with littering the freeways. :o)
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Download a copy of the Washington Driver Guide (Google it).
It's the Washington equivalent of our Highway Code. Each state has their own guide and regulations so if you're going out of state get one for each state you are visiting.
Seattle residents are well known for driving with a coffee in one hand and a phone in the other so set your "Inattentive" radar to accute and leave it there.
Don't be nervous. Sit back, relax and you'll love it.
Kevin...
PS. The most common problem for European visitors when I lived in the US was getting used to overhead traffic lights.
PPS. Buy a copy of Frommer's USA before you go and make some tentative plans. It's the best guide to the USA by far.
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Ah, yes. Kevin's PS is a big-un. Please can a mod add it to my list and delete this post?
(16) Remember the traffic lights are OVERHEAD. Once (and believe me, you only do it once) I nearly missed a red at a busy junction and only just stopped with most of the car dangling into the crossing. Scared the bejesus out of me. [Thanks to Kevin for this]
And Arizona drivers could manage a coffee, Big Mac, and a phone.
Edited by David Horn on 25/02/2009 at 01:10
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Certainly in Florida................
1. If it's raining enough to use your wipers, then put your headlights on.
2. Never ever parallel park on the wrong side of the road - i.e. facing against the traffic flow. The police will assume you've been driving on the wrong side and book you.
3. If parking at 90 degrees to kerb, drive face in. Police like to be able to see your number plate from their cars - in Florida, cars don't have front number plates.
4. Traffic lights go from Red > Green > Amber > Red Go through a red light at your peril!
5. Never ever carry alcohol in the car cabin - always keep it in the boot/trunk
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As said the four way stop is weird - I was being driven by a mate in Texas and we came to one - right in middle of nowhere and he stopped -you could see each way for miles - he said cops hide behind anything to catch you - OH traffic lights nearly caught me - here you pull up to lights and stop - once I nearly did that except that was in middle of X roads - other than that as also said US drivers are really laid back and polite (those that I encountered) - If you have to pay before you fill up remember US cars hold a lot more petrol than ours -half a tank isn't five or six gallons - What ever -just relax and have a good trip.
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I know the OP said Seattle, but a tip if driving in San Francisco is when parking on a hill you have to make sure the front wheels are turned in the right direction if parking on a hill, i.e. into the kurb. If your handbrake fails the car will then not roll into the road - the kurb will (eventually) stop it.
I think you get a ticket if you don't do this.
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Certainly in Florida................
In case anyone going to Florida is reading this thread (I don't know if this law is used elsewhere, but it makes good sense and is something I've always done in the UK):
Florida has had a "move over" law for years - if you see an emergency vehicle stopped with lights flashing then you must "move over" and leave a clear lane between it and you OR slow to 20MPH below the posted limit.
Following some emergency worker deaths, they've recently started enforcing this law much more forcefully including setting traps near the airports when new arrivals are still finding their feet. It's a $150 fine if caught.
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Thanks for all your advice so far, it has been very helpful. As I said in my 1st post I'm going to seattle and looking and going off to explore the Olympic National Park and its surrounding area aswell as Seattle itself. Then I'm flying down to Las Vegas for 5 days so I might aswell hire a car there and cruise the strip!!
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Speeding fines double in roadworks.
On ramps tend to be short. Can be tight curves.
Freeway quality is awful / potholed.
Go through on permanently amber lights with extream caution.
They have no idea how to use roundabouts (call them circles) and sometimes even park on the circle, blocking the road.
Ask permission from the plod when going to a bag, pocket of glove box to get your documents. They have guns and think you do as well!
Great experiance. Can't wait to do it again.
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It appears from the experiences of driving in the US that traffic rules are strictly adhered to unlike here.
What is it that makes the drivers over there seem more abiding. Is it the penalties, more police patrols or their community mindset. Can anyone who has lived there explain why the US motorists seem to put us to shame with the way many flout the rules here?
I'm not saying all drivers in the US drive to the letter, but from posts here and other posts it would seem they are better at keeping their drivers in line.
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It appears from the experiences of driving in the US that traffic rules are strictly adhered to unlike here. snip I'm not saying all drivers in the US drive to the letter but from posts here and other posts it would seem they are better at keeping their drivers in line.
1. The Police shoot you.
2. Other drivers shoot you.
3. You get sued so badly your next insurance bill is enormous
One thing I forgot to say in my other post is that if you have an accident in California, not sure about other States, if you get out of your car and say "Sorry, it was my fault" even if you automatically say it as a shock response it considered an admission of guilt.
I think - could be wrong - they changed the law about 8 years ago allowing yuo to say "Sorry" but I could be wrong on that.
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One thing I didn't know. in California it is illegal to have anything affixed to the windscreen. So Satnav on the screen is a no-no. no idea if this is true for other states, although apparently in Nevada it's okay.
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Then I'm flying down to Las Vegas for 5 days so I might aswell hire a car there and cruise the strip!!
You'd be quicker walking.
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On second thoughts, you'd be better driving down the strip, if you don't mind bumper to bumper traffic all the way. At least that way you won't get hassled by Mexicans every twenty feet trying to give you business cards for hookers. Not too bad if you're alone but a bit annoying if you're walking along hand in hand with your partner. Really. Beggars belief.
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I loved driving in the US, we hired a Mustang.
One thing nobody has mentioned, if you are stopped by the cops, stay in the car and keep your hands on the steering wheel where they can see them. A friend got out of his car and the cop drew his gun.
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One thing nobody has mentioned if you are stopped by the cops
martint123 mentioned it way up the page.
Don't worry though, there was a story the other day were Police Officers fired several rounds into a car when they thought the occupant had a gun, but nobody was injured!
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"stay in the car and keep your hands on the steering wheel where they can see them. A friend got out of his car and the cop drew his gun."
god bless the uk !
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Just adding on to the other excellent advice:
1. I would get a 4x4 - sit up higher as others have commented and the auto 4x4s are relaxing. Even a big 4x4 will feel tiny compared to some of the things on US Highways so do not go for a compact IMPO.
2. Book your car in advance - I find National very good - as when UK planes land on the West coast they are often landing late in the evening by which time most of the car hire places are short on cars and you find yourself at the back of a long queue of a few hundred Brits all wanting something nice.
I paid about £50 to sign up to National's Emerald Card system which allows me to pre-book online the car I want. They hand you maps also. I have found Hertz to have long, long queues at US airports whilst the Emerald Card system at National allows you to walk in, pick up the keys and be out in no time IMPO.
3. Plan you exit from the airport car hire place to your first hotel - it can be a bit of nightmare on the West Coast about 10PM in the night driving out of the airport and trying to get your bearings.
4. Lock your doors and windows when you stop - pretty much true in most places these days.
5. Relax - driving in the US is fun and the least stressed driving I have ever done.
6. Be wary of US Highways as the inside lane often either becomes the slip exit road and you find youself driving off the Highway into a place you had no intention of going - as roundabouts are rare in the US you might find it incredibly difficult to find your way back onto the highway and if you are in a not nice area it could be dangerous.
7. As above, be wary of US Highways as the inside lane sometimes just ends - this is often just after an exit and you find yourself running quickly out of Highway as it either just ends in gravel, concrete, a sign or merges with the next lane on the outside... which is a s*d if that lane is full of traffic. At night this might be life-threatening as it is difficult to see.
8. If you hire a convertiable then buy yourself a hat, wear long sleeves and long trousers and slap on lots of high factor suncream. You can get really severe burns driving in the US and I know of several Brits who have ended up with FIRST DEGREE BURNS as a result. Oddly enough, Christopher Biggins was on the TV the other week talking about this happening to him.
9. In many California towns and cities pedestrians have right of way to cross the road at junctions. You have to assume that someone near the kerb is about to cross as people will step out in front of you without looking. You have to anticipate this and stop for them to cross so drive slow around corners - I think in San Fran there used to be a 5mph speed limit around corners.
10. In San Francisco you have to park on a hill in the direction of the traffic and not against it. You have to turn you front wheels into the kerb when parked.
11. If you intend to drive into any of the 'wilderness' areas - i.e. forests, deserts - stop off at a shop and buy yourself some seriously big water containers of bottled water both for you and your car. If you break down in some places on the West Coast you can go through loads of water in the heat. Likewise, buy yourself some food and also a 'snake-bite kit' - friends of mine bought me one the first time I was in California driving as pparently loads of people get bitten by snakes when stepping out of their cars.
12. Lock your car doors at the petrol station when you go into pay before you fill up. Have your passport ready. I was refused to buy an ice cream in the US once because I did not have my passport with me. Incredible.
13. Lots of hire cars now have sat-nav as standard but if it costs a bit extra it is well worth IMPO.
14. Plan your route before you go, research fun places you want to go and visit. Narrow it down to the really good stuff as whilst the US has many wonderful things to see and visit iy also has loads of duff stuff.
15. Enjoy.
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16. U-turns are illegal in many places.
17. Make sure your hire car allows you to drive from State to State if tha is your intention - sometimes it costs more. It is a big offence in the US driving a hire car out of a State if you do not have permission. They consider it Grand Theft Auto/Larceny and is punishable by serious time.
18. Take both your paper and your photo driving licence. Several years ago when I had only my old green driving licence - which apparently was illegal here in the UK - I was given almost the last hire car from Hertz in San Francisco whilst a couple in front of me were refused because the guy had his UK photo licence.
I knew nothing about photo licences at the time - didn't realise that you get a green paper one with them - and found it bizarre that they were giving me a car but ignoring the guy whose photo was on his licence. I have since realised how important the green paper one is in hiring cars. Photocopy it and keep a copy back here in the UK and take an extra copy with you.
Edited by tawse on 25/02/2009 at 19:44
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very high percentage of other drivers carry a pistol in their glovebox, therefore if in accident do not get out and argue, do not do hand gestures, dont do anything remotely agressive - even if you are in the right! they are superficially nice and polite but escalate very quickly to shooting each other, not at all like the UK where heated arguments are common etc
if buying cans of beer at the supermarket or wine or other alcohol on the trip from the store home or to you hotel the beer MUST be in the boot, in many states if the cops spot a few cans of beer on the back seat where the driver could reach them you will go striaght to jail and no pass go, very serious matter in many states
turn right on red is common in many places, very good idea but you need to know if it applies in your state
level of grip for given size of tyre is much lower than UK mainly to do with the different types of road surface they use
much more space makes driving safe easier
many of your fellow drivers will be quite poor drivers technically, standards are pretty low on the whole
many places have no footpaths at all and cars are used routinely to drive 10 feet down the road, in fact in many places its the only safe way to do it
british accent goes a long way, they will always thank you for led zep, ozzy, def leppard, the who etc etc all of which they expect you to know personally as "england is such a tiny place" etc
nice place love it
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Just keep thinking "keep right" at first until you are used to that side of the road. It doesn't actually take that long but I think everyone will admit to having had a "moment" where they drifted back into uk mode.
Further to the advice about stopped school buses and overtaking. I passed a stopped school bus when I was travelling on a four lane road in the opposite direction. The bus had a policeman on board who called ahead and I was stopped by the police further down the road. I knew the rule about overtaking but did not know that means passing a stationary school bus full stop. Had I not had an old UK paper license which the cop could not understand, he would have charged me without a doubt and it was a custodial offence apparently. He told me that if a school bus has its stop lights on or its stop sign deployed, you dont pass it whatever direction you are travelling in unless there is a central reservation. Did anyone else know that?
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Not a USA trip bit of advice but a driving on the right tip in general... when leaving a car park make sure you drive on the right!
It's a situation where you can easily forget. In a similar way, sat nav got confused on minor roads in Tuscany years ago. It didn't say to turn right at a junction but it thought the road went straight on to the right. Did a U turn and nearly started to drive back to the junction on the left! No other cars on a rural Tuscan road so (a) no clues and (b) my brief error not a problem or witness!
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>very high percentage of other drivers carry a pistol in their glovebox,
Enough scaremongering thanks.
Very, very, very few law-abiding folk carry guns in the glovebox. You need a Concealed Weapons Permit to do so.
>turn right on red is common in many places, very good idea but you need to know if it applies in your state
The State Drivers Handbook should tell you if/where is is allowed.
>british accent goes a long way
Yeah, unless you sound like you're reading the R4 Shipping Forecast they'll ask you which part of Australia you're from ;-(
One more tip vxr53 - the 2009 Washington State Visitors Guide is published on March 5th. Available online and in print from StayInWashington.com. Anything worth seeing will be in the guide and as an added bonus the 2009 edition highlights "25 Road Trips".
Nevada (travelnevada.com), and most other states have very good Visitors Guides too.
Kevin...
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